The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-12
Splendid Record Of Gov. Nc
Enery's Administration.
Good Management, Increased
Accommodations and
Efficiency.
n Showing Beyond Comp0ri'
SON aCith 11ay Precious
administration,

| Ahoi0 CohSiuolNe VI BOou government Iliau
the care and well-being of it's charitable in.
situations.
Judged by this standard, Louisiana can
now challenge comparison with any State in
the Union.
This was not, unfortunately, always the
case; and that it is 80 now is due to the i'm
provements that have been made during the
administration of Gov. McEnery. These i'm
proyements have had the earnest encourage
menE of the Governor. and have been made
by the various and excellent boards of di-
rectors appointed by him, whose efforts for
the ameioration of the condition Of the I'M
fortunates under their control have been
promoted by every influence at the command
of the Governor.
The institutions under direct control of the
State are the Charity Hospital at New Or
leans the Charity Hospital at Shreveport,
the Insane Asylum at Jackson, La, and the
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the
Institution for the Blind at Baton Rouge.
The Confederate Soldiers Home ut New Or
leans is supported by State appropriations,
ITS az being composed Ct the officers
ginia and the Army Of Tennessee.
| :, brief review OF the present condition of
these institutions will suffice to show the
great improvement in the care of those within
their walls, the vast increase in their capac-
directions. since Gov. McEnery came to The
head of State affairs and became directly re-
sponslble for their administration.
THE CHARITY HOSPITAL.
The Charity Hospital at New Orleans is
Justly source Of pride to the people Of the
done great and good work; but tho period
Ill Its history has 1t been 30 thoroughly equip
pod for its mission in behalf of the Suffering
as at this moment. Based upon the broadcast
who apply for admission without distinc-
ton OF nationality or condition.. no State
IN the Union, no country on the globe,
has grander monument than has Louisiana
Enery's constant aim-an aim faithfully car:
rled out by the able and efficient Board of
Administration selected by the Governor
to meet the growing wants of the hospital,
to increase its accommodations and to extend
ticularly. The results Of this work have been
an almost complete transformation Of the IN
sututon and marvellous extension OF lis
work. In fact, it can hardly be called the
same Institution, 80 many have been the
IMPROVEMENTS IN RECENT YEARS.
Some of these improvements are:
The sewer system in place Of the old time
vault system. The sewer System was inaug-
urated May 6, 1884. It had long been re-
garded as a necessity, but no practical steps
were taken to secure it until Gov. McEnery
ground pipes Since the date mentioned, con
meet the ,vaults of the hospital premises with
q central reservoier of 80, 900 gallons Ca
pacity, These pipes are cleared at intervals
by their connections with system of flush
OF the central reservoir are forced by q Blake
pump through six-inch underground pipe
into the Mississippi river. The, sewer gases
are conducted from the central reservoir
the enginc-room, and are thus destroyed.
The Annex or New Extension is comfort
ably constructed two-story and attic brick
building, with large, we'll lighted and wide
corridors, wards ventilated according to
more cubic feet for each bedl, inen-rooms,
messroomY, dining-Tooms for cOnyalescents.
water closets, etc., and heated throughout
by improved steam radiators This building
old female department., which latter has
been raised to the floor level of the annex by
an elevation of two feet. The capacity Of
the. new house is eighty three beds for women
formerly crowded female department.
The new Dead House and Pathological
Laboratory and Museum of Pathology was
on Locust street, on the more qnobserved
portion of The hospital grounds. 1t is a two
story brick structure, dimensions 30x5O
feet, containing on the ground floor the ap-
pointments Of the. Dead House proper, paved
and wainscoted with slate, stone. with suit
of rooms from which the dead who are
claimed may be buried by relatives and
friends; on the second floor, the PATHOLOGY
cal Laboratory and Museum of Pathology,
two large, well lighted rooms especially de-
signed for the purpose.
The new eye and ear operating room, built
Of brick, is annexed to the female eye ward.
1t has been constructed with q view to light,
and is furnished on three sides with large
French plate glass windows. /.
In the main building, under the supervi-
sion of the house committee, considerable
improvements have, been introduced. Nine
placed m in the roof; the old ehmne ss I now
superseded by the steam radiators, have been
converted into ventilating shafts and con-
jointly have much benefited the interior at
mOsphere
THE CHARITY HOSPITAL AMBULANCE SERVICE
is another great aid in the efficient prosecu-
was put in full operation Feb. 2, 1885. To
quote from DR.. Miles, the house surgeon OF
: the hospital:.
''This service was organized to meet de.
? rnand well-nigh imperative. Since the cree.
ton of the hospital in 1882, the sick and in.
jured have been brought to the door in vehi.
cles of every conceivable kind employed in
the travel and traffic of the city. Many pa
tients suffered, discomfort merely, while
others sustained injuries prejudicial to their
after treatment Some, only q few let us be.
! lieve, must have succumbed to the delay
and ill-usage incident such haphazsrd trans
portstlOn."
The necessity for some better means fol-
conveying the sick or the wounded to the hos.
! pital being apparent, the Board OF Admins
traitors, with the hearty approval and CO.
operation Of Gov. McE,nery, who is ey-offeio
president OF the board, set about gu ,devisipe
introduction Of most efficient ambulance
service, fully equipped with every appliance
for the lessenlng or relief Of suffering, and
prompt to respond to all calls. The service
: is housed in q commodious two-story brick
building on Common street, immediately OPP.
posite the hospital proper, of which it is a
most efficient auxiliary, and which provides
ample accommodation for the ambulances
and horses and sleeping apartments above
ants connected with the service. At call,
day or night. the students are at once in
!, place, the horses are attached and the ambu-
lance, fully furnished With medical and sur.
errand Of mercy.
This ambulance system is conceded to be
the best in the United. States. Its prompt
ness in answering calls and its well equippec
auxiliaries; the intelligent and qualified resi-
surgical appliances and medicines. render iti
aid Invaluable in conserving life in emergen
cases. Compared with the inhuman. anti
qnated methods Of transportation in the
rough cart and furniture wagon previousl,
in vogue. the ambulance is an elysium to thu
sufferer. The calls number about 100 pei
month, and are answered with the expedition
aud alacrity OF fire engine.
These are come OF the external improve
ments that have been made to the Chart.
Hospital since Gov. McEnery succeeded Il
the Executive chair. Over sri, 900 wer.
spent on the new buildings and the sewerag,
system-exclusive of the ambulance service
b of which s3T, 494 23 was appropriated from
the general hospital fund and s33, 574 IS
!; were derived from donations by citizens o
1 New Orleans and other portions of the State
y appropriations BY. police juries and from